Dress Up

True confession: I showed up to a spring break trip in Puerto Rico with a suitcase full of pretty sundresses...none of which were suitable for a spring break club scene. I actually don't own anything that qualifies as a party dress, save an American Apparel number-turned-Jigglypuff costume. If you weren't aware, a Pokemon-themed outfit is less welcome at a club than a full-length muumuu.

My birthday is in a week and, in my frenzy to find something besides a drop-waist dress that I've worn for three previous birthdays (...I'm a girl of habit), I've come across the perfect style for Girls Who Only Rage on Rare Occasions—a party dress, not too short and not at all tight, that can nevertheless hold its own on a dance floor. Do you know what's sexier than an up-to-there hemline? An exposed back. Proof:

Is this not the most clever way to get a cheeky look without having to wriggle your dress down every five steps? (Seeing as we're on the topic of cheeky, anyway). An open-back dress is unexpected, and the sexy factor doesn't hit you over the head so much as whisper in your ear. It's gamine, not garish; think Audrey, not Marilyn (modern day translation: Marion Cotillard, not Kim Kardashian). I could go all day with this. The electric-blue hue of the Free People dress ($118; freepeople.com), bottom right, keeps the lace from looking too saccharine.

In this case, less is not more, but just enough.

Photo credits: Blair Edie/Atlantic-Pacific and La Lune

Confessions On Chambray

After much thought and deliberation, I've decided that I hate chambray.

It reminds me of denim, and though I love my Rag & Bone jeans as much as the next girl, there is no way that I'll ever be on board with denim shirts and jackets. I understand that chambray isn't denim, but the color and texture are enough of a reminder to keep me far, far away. I can sum it up like this: I dislike chambray as much as I dislike gingham.

But not polka-dot chambray.

If you ever need to convert me to something, just pop some polka dots on it and call it a day. The polka dots and playful jewelry add some whimsy and femininity to chambray, which, depending on styling, can seem a little utilitarian and stiff. This J.Crew blouse ($78; jcrew.com) is the perfect shape, too: fitted at the waist, but just slouchy enough to layer.

Don't worry, though. The day a jean jacket appears on this blog is the day you know girlfriend has been hacked.

Photos courtesy of: Gitman Brothers via Have Less Be More and J.Crew.

Style Set to Jet

Usually, I'm a lazy traveler. I sit around and think about what I'd like to eat (mostly anything of the cheese variety) and drink (mostly anything of the red wine variety). I did a complete reversal this time, and this weekend, I turned into a trip-planning monster. I'm set for my flight on Friday, and with to-do lists and packing lists and planning lists coming out of my ears, it's no surprise that I even have my NYC-to-Madrid ensemble picked out.

1. J.Crew sweater ($65; jcrew.com): The mint-green hue is perfect for spring, and the cotton blend will take care of chilly plane cabins.
2. See by Chloé tote ($195; zappos.com): I don't actually own this bag, but I'd like to. I'm not usually one for label-flashing, but the transparent bag is so damn cute and punny that I'll let it slide. Onto my shoulder, to be exact.
3. Bensimon sneakers ($65; jildorshoes.com): I will wax poetic about Bensimon sneakers until the day I die (incidentally, I will still be wearing Bensimon sneakers when that happens). Comfortable, versatile, and chic, they're the perfect shoe for roaming around European cities.
4. Rag & Bone jeans, ($187; rag-bone.com): These are form-fitting jeans (and not denim leggings), but they are hands-down the most comfortable jeans I've ever shimmied my butt into. The denim is structured and substantial but has the right amount of stretch. The wash is flattering. My best friend and I had a long discussion about what we're looking for in a pair of jeans, and I think this makes the cut.
5. Michael Kors watch ($225; neimanmarcus.com): A chunky silver watch lends a touch of menswear. Plus, I'm kind of over rose gold trend. For the time being.


What are your in-flight essentials? I feel like I should have included slippers, because I refuse to be one of those people who wanders to the bathroom in socks (ick!).

Kicking It with Marc by Marc

I missed the Isabel Marant sneaker-wedge boat (below, left). That's okay. Why? Because these Marc by Marc Jacobs kicks (right, $320; marcjacobs.com) are fresh out of the oven (circa today) and haven't yet been splashed all over the blogosphere. We are in love.

Sure, they seem a little clunky at first glance. But then you remember the wedge, and the subsequent extra height that makes your legs seem a touch longer. One point. And then there's the calf leather. Two points for that. And then there's the part where it's a calf-leather HIGH TOP SNEAKER. Eight points right there. Unlike every other pair of sneakers that I own (all Bensimon, save for one pair of limited edition Nike Dunks), these don't look better the more worn and dirty they become. But paired with skinny jeans and an oversized sweater (and kept nice and clean, of course), these could become a part of the greatest weekend uniform I've ever owned.

Photo courtesy of: The Blonde Salad

Sandal Season

Now that the weather is cooperating and I'm considering a badly-needed pedicure, a new pair of sandals are in order. I tore last year's pair to shreds, so I'm looking for something a little less wimpy this time around. The issue: I have...shapely legs, which means that with the wrong pair of shoes, my legs can resemble Christmas hams. Trying to avoid ankle straps on sandals leads me into the flimsy V straps of flip flops, which are neither comfortable nor stylish whatsoever. Alber Elbaz can't even make flip flops look cute. And if you cite Tory Burch's number with her little medallion on them, those do not count particularly because they have that little medallion on them.

The solution: nude sandals. Just as nude heels elongate the leg because they create an illusion of length, a similar hue on an ankle strap doesn't break (and thus shorten) the line of the leg. If the shade of the sandal is close enough to your skin tone, it works. Here are a few versatile options that would look just as cute with shorts as they would with a sundress:

1. These KORS Michael Kors leather sandals ($125; Click to Buy) have a more substantial sole than what you'd find on a typical flat sandal, and I love love love the look of the double ankle-strap. It lends a touch of the gladiator look without going all Russel Crowe on your footwear. The shade's a little dark, but it's not a jarring contrast.

2. This pair of J.Crew leather sandals ($118; Click to Buy) is the trifecta: made in Italy (read: better quality than most at this price point), the perfect shade of nude, and has a padded sole for comfort. These would look great with shorts, or a maxidress, or a skirt, or a sundress. Do you see where I'm going with this?

3. If you need a little lift, Marais suede wedges ($160; Click to Buy) are a sophisticated option. They're not exactly nude (the height of the wedge excuses the grey shade)(I make the rules)(this is an autocratic blog!)(just kidding)(kind of) but I love Marais shoes for the focus on comfort and urban designs. That T-strap just kills me. Come to mama.

4. Coral counts as a nude if you have VERY pink undertones or didn't slap on enough sunscreen before hitting the beach. (Doesn't it?) I understand that I'm taking a lot of liberties with the definition of "nude" here, but if you think about, the color nude for a Swedish girl isn't exactly nude for Eurasian me. Anyway, these Delman calfskin sandals ($195; Click to Buy) are simple and pared-down without looking stark. I love the small details on the sides; they're a great option for the more feminine of ladies.

Current status: team J.Crew. You?

Got Gucci?

Last week, I was sprinting down Fifth Ave and came to a sliding stop right in front of the Gucci store. I usually don't pay attention to the ready-to-wear collections of in-my-dreams labels like that (a pair of wedges are as crazy as I'll get), but I have this newfound affection for mixing prints and not-so-newfound affection for color-blocking. So I stood outside and threw a temper tantrum to my wallet and we both agreed that I would like to be able to pay for my kids' college educations one day. I want three kids. That's going to be somewhere around $600K, not counting for inflation and whatnot, and a $3,000 silk t-shirt dress will not pay for their meal plans. Unfortunately. So this happened:

 Gucci silk dress, $1,990; gucci.com. Madewell silk dress, $168; madewell.com

 Gucci silk dress, $2,995; gucci.com. Diane Von Furstenberg dress, $375; dvf.com 

Gucci silk dress, $1,700; gucci.com. DKNY silk crepe de chine dress, $345; dkny.com

Which is your favorite look-a-like? Lucky for my savings account, I'm hankering for that little Madewell number...

Sheer Genius

I love a good pair of opaque tights—Wolford is my brand of choice, and though their tights are pricey, they're built like tanks and will hold up through an apocalypse. But aren't Clémence Poésy's sheer polka-dot tights so darn cute? They add such a fun, whimsical vibe to the rest of her outfit. Are you a fan of the patterned tights? I think this style is all I could pull off...

[Photo cred here]

Pants on Fire

I received a pair of red J. Brand jeans for Christmas, waxed to look like leather (thanks, mom!). At first, I was perplexed. Then I got to work brainstorming.

VOILA.

Colored, leather-waxed pants (J Brand, $300) + neutral blouse (Kenny, $127) + statement wedges (Lanvin, $599) + delicate, feminine jewelry (Finn ring, $650; Alexis Bittar earrings, $345)  = YES.

I didn't use the exact style, as they've been long gone (my mom snapped them up in August after I stared lovingly at them and drooled on the floor of Intermix), but these can work with any colored denim. Navy blue would look awesome. Obviously, this is a pipe dream of an outfit, although those Lanvin wedges are shrieking my name. Come to mama, little wedges. I will love you and polish you and keep you clean forever. (Purring ensues).

How would you wear a pair of red nearly-leather pants?

Midwinter Style

Chilly weather can be the fast-track to a fashion rut. Cozy boots, long coats and dark colors galore define winter style, but lately, they seem like external manifestations of severe seasonal affective disorder. That's no fun. I stumbled across two options for spicing up cold weather wear:

1. High-top sneakers: I could probably get away with wearing these to the office. For those who don't work in an environment where things like snakeskin-print trousers are acceptable, they're ideal for running weekend errands. Why? High-top sneakers are surprisingly great at enduring all sorts of precipitation. My Nike Dunks made it through three Chicago winters. Just add luxe touches like fur and leather to keep them from looking too grungy.

2. Khakis: If winter's mild (read: not Chicago, but maybe New York), khakis are such a cute and unexpected alternative to denim and knit tights. Pair them with a short wool jacket and booties. Plus, I feel like so much winter style has a black or navy palette—brown's a little more fresh. To avoid looking like you're confused and think it's still October, make sure everything else is a warmer, darker tone.

Which look do you like best? (I'm all about #1 myself).


[photo cred here and there]

Fancy Pants

Yesterday, I wore a snappy pair of vintage-print Diane Von Furstenberg corduroy shorts. (Yep). (You read that correctly). They're the sort of things that I always want to buy but never actually buy, although apparently, the chances of me saying no when they're hanging on a sample sale rack are nil. So they became mine, and naturally, I layered them over a pair of warm black tights. The thing is, I've never loved the look of tights under shorts. Personal opinion: the pairing looks inappropriate and a little off-kilter. However, I wanted to wear these shorts so badly that I would've put them on over ski pants. The kicker: the shorts didn't look terrible. I wore them ("they" in question being black with pink polka-dot clusters)(yes, you read that right)(no, I'm not blind)(come one, guys, Diane Von Furstenberg always creates baller patterns!) with black tights, a black silk tee, and black flats.

This brought me to my conclusion that as long as the color palette is subdued and the shorts are somewhat fancy (patterned, sequined, not denim), they're a-okay with tights. And then I saw the above picture, and now I'm dying to throw denim shorts over tights and top them off with a cozy sweater and an awesome pair of boots. It's like fashion schizophrenia. So help me: where do you stand when it comes to winter shorts?


[photo cred here]

Fair Isle Femme

Remember this sweater (on the left) from Stella McCartney's Fall 2007 collection? I do. Because I loved it, saw a girl wearing it in the university library, and promptly fell out of my chair. I've since recovered, but that doesn't mean I've stopped loving the look of quirky and oh-so-cozy Fair Isle.

My favorite part: the absence of rainbow hues means that Fair Isle can double as a versatile neutral. How genius is that? You could pair them with jeans and boots for a low-key outfit or jazz them up with a pair of brightly colored jeans. (The grey would be perfect with red, and for the pale beige on the right? Navy all the way). Steal the Joie sweater for a fraction of the Stella McCartney cost. No offense, Stella, but my wallet needs a hug.


[photo cred to style.com]

Little Bit of Leopard

I'm of the camp that when it comes to leopard, less is more. However, I've seen women who can pull off a leopard cardigan or even a pencil skirt. In its own right, the latter looks fantastic with a classic collared blouse and a good dose of confidence. Where do you fit in? Are you a little leopard lady or a lot?


(photo cred to 1, 2 and 3)

Touch of Gold

The simplest way to transition bright summer colors into fall? Pair them with subdued neutrals, like charcoal grey. Charcoal grey is a natural shoo-in for me. It's a) my favorite color and b) one of the reasons I'm looking forward to fall. Instead of being overplayed, though, it looks surprisingly modern when paired with a bit of gold sparkle or a rich, buttery yellow. All a light sunshine-hued jacket needs is a warm grey scarf to make it ready for this season.

(photo cred to 1 and 2)

Easy Chic

I adore this Clémentine Levy fashion story for Grazia Italia, shot by Vanessa Jackson. It seems so perfect for the summer-to-fall transition, with dark colors and easy tees and simple jeans, dressed up just the right amount with a great pair of loafers. (Full disclosure: I hate loafers. Give me a pair of ballet flats any day.) But I definitely want to steal the effortless chic that Clémentine sports here. It's not that I'm over summer, per se, but why bother trying to figure out which sundresses are sheer and which aren't when I could just slap on a pair of not so see-through pants? Is this laziness or just a personal style preference?

Nudes & Neon

And my new favorite pairing is...

                        Try a tasteful pochette in classic Tiffany blue     +     Rachel Zoe dress

(if you're a little more demure)

                           Pair an eye-popping fuchsia clutch            +             Dolce Vita dress

(if you're afraid of just about nothing)

Now I just need a bright, neon bag. I'm thinking a

Claire Vivier foldover clutch in in a vivid royal blue is just the thing.

[photo cred to 1 and 2]

The Club

My first full week of work made me realize that I still dress like a girl who just graduated from college. A ribbed tank may have snuck into my outfit on a desperate Friday, around the same time I discovered that while I own piles and piles of jeans and casual tees/tanks, they will do me no good at the magazine. So we decided to cool things down for a bit. There were tears involved, as well as promises to visit on the weekends. I love you, jeans and tees. I'm your girl!

However.

I got over the separation pretty quickly when my mother and I went to Club Monaco. Hello pale lace, swingy silk pleated skirts, soft tanks, and one stellar embellished-tee-that-is-completely-work-appropriate-I-promise (I couldn't go cold turkey). I adore the fall lookbook, which is all warm neutrals in wispy fabrics and retro, ladylike silhouettes. And with a student discount (cough cough cough cough cough maybe I chalked my student ID cough cough), I can't go wrong. How was your weekend?

Garden Party

I'm crushing on just about everything in the summer Anthropologie catalogue—I've never felt such a desire to sit outside and drink lemon water (or lemon verbena lemonade, anyone?) while wearing something light and feminine. Now that I'm done with class and have no excuses for rolling out of bed, throwing on a tee and dark jeans and calling it a day, I swear I'm going to put in more effort. I'm a sucker for this bracelet and that pleated top.

How perfect are the navy pleats for an appropriate (but not too obvious) Fourth of July ensemble? Plus, you can wear a style like that anywhere, from a casual barbeque to late-afternoon drinks with friends.

[photo cred to anthropologie.com]

The French Converse

I've wanted a pair of Bensimon sneakers ever since I read that they're the French girls' Converse. That's the best marketing ploy ever —just throw the word "French" in front of anything and I'm sold. French fries? Check. French toast? Yep. French braids? So pretty. French kisses? ...I don't kiss and tell. But yes.

I was exceptionally loyal to my beat-up, classic red Keds until last weekend, when they managed to bore a hole through my ankle. It was a highly unpleasant experience, and ever since I dedicated my column in Prep Talk to the merits of a cool, laid-back pair of kicks, I've been gazing lovingly at this pair of Bensimon vintage sneakers (available here):

Hello, lover. It's like Carrie Bradshaw with her Manolos, but for the lazy girl who wants neither to try too hard nor stumble into a gutter on her way to class. My issue (I always have an issue) is that although grey is my favorite color, the black pair is tugging at my heartstrings. I can't decide. Help a terribly indecisive girl out — which do you like?

[photo cred here]

About Last Night

I'm dying to show you pictures, but I'm torn (they're embarrassing). My camera fizzled out an hour or two into the crush party and I failed to get a proper photo of the dress. However, I did snag an embarrassing mirror picture with my cell phone to show my handiwork to my mother. First, here's a vaguely respectable photo of myself and my roommates (the theme was Get Your Game On, and, from left to right, we're White Sox fan, Sporcle, Princess Lolly from Candyland, and Jigglypuff), in which you can see my new haircut:

I LOVE IT. The layers are a little funky at the moment, as the stylist completely failed to acknowledge that I wear my hair with a side part (even after I mentioned it) and instead, cut it with a center part in mind. I'll get them to behave eventually. I've had several variations of short hair ever since seventh grade (pixie, bob, grown-out bob, rinse, wash, repeat), and I feel so much more like myself without having eight pounds of wild and uncontrollable curls on my head. Plus, when your grandmother says you look like a "sexy hussy" and doesn't mean it as a compliment, you know it's time to snip.

Here's a picture of the dress, the notoriously MySpace-quality one that gives me horrible flashbacks to high school. I decided that if I Tweeted it, I'd might as well post it here:

Unfortunately, I'm sorry to report that Jigglypuff lost an eye in last night's festivities. Then again, I misplaced my dignity, so I'm calling it even.

Crush Party

If you follow me on Twitter, you may have noticed that I've been spending an awful lot of time sewing. My Italian grandmother was a seamstress and my dad sutures gum tissue for a living, so I'm not terrible with a needle and thread. For my sorority's spring crush party, called Get Your Game On, everyone dons a pair of sneakers or an oversized jersey. I thought about it. It bored me.

And then I realized that I should purposefully misinterpret the meaning of Get Your Game On and apply it to one of my most beloved pastimes: Pokémon. To be specific, I'm dressing up as Jigglypuff, because she's fairly well-known and easier to recreate than, say, Ampheros. (I'd be embarrassed, but I can pin this on the Asian half of my gene pool). So I bought an adorable dress at American Apparel (though I still loathe Dov Charney), picked up a few scraps of cloth and got to work. Here's the nearly-finished product:

I just have to stitch the details on and adjust the placement, but it's not too shabby, right? I promise I'll post pictures afterwards. Plus, I'm getting a haircut this morning (finally! I decided on a grown-out, shoulder-grazing bob with side bangs), so throughout the next few days, Mellow Fever is going to be inundated with amusing photos of the shoddiest quality.